Saturday, May 31, 2014

How about that, The Little Sandwich Shop on Grove near Newark has expanded and has added seating! How cool is that? Already some of the best tasting sandwiches in town and now a place near the Grove St. PATH to sit down inside and enjoy them? Well played Little Sandwich Shop, well played!

This song now is just over 20 years old and it still sounds fresh as the day it came out. Guess good horns and jazz samples featuring Herbie Hancock's 'Cantaloupe Island' never go out of style. With Mr. Gerard Presencer on trumpet, here's US3 with 'Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)' kicking off the Music Series tonight.

Since the weather is going to be spot on this weekend, Saturday sunny and 70º and Sunday 76º and mostly, sunny Johnny thought he'd pass along this handy dandy guide from NJ.com as to what's going on in Hudson County this weekend that might interest you.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Johnny's fave-o-rite player and Spain's all-time leading international scorer, David Villa is headed to NYCFC according to a report on ESPN. David Villa played this last season with La Liga champions Atletico Madrid after playing the previous three seasons at FC Barcelona and scoring in the Champion's League Final against Manchester United in Barca's 3-1 victory in London in 2011.

El Guaje (The Kid) is known as a striker with an amazing nose for the net from any angle from any distance. He led the Wold Cup in goals in 2010 as Spain won the whole thing. Mr. Villa, show us what fans can expect:

Or booze or pills or meth or whatever the hell you were on and then some.

Dateline Manasquan (and we admit we don't get out to Manasquan as often as we'd like): One Lukas Iorio, a former Region 2 champion and two-time state qualifier wrestler at Bergen Catholic had himself one busy night Sunday along the Manasquan boardwalk and surrounding area. Get out your scratch pad or calculator or even follow along in your heads as you count the crimes:

Witnesses said Iorio approached the cart as it was being driven on the beach by a member of the Manasquan Beach Patrol about 8:30 p.m. and jumped feet first through the plastic windshield, landing on a front seat, the release from Police Chief Elliott Correia said.Correia said he then assaulted both occupants of the cart, forcing them from the vehicle. Witnesses said Iorio drove the cart toward the inlet “at a high rate of speed while swerving at pedestrians,” the release said. He hit and injured a 49-year-old man who twice tried to avoid the cart, Correia said.He eventually crashed the vehicle into a gazebo, but then ran to a nearby bicycle rack where he apparently tried to steal a bike, the release said. Iorio then punched another man who had apparently came to see if he was OK following the crash and also tried to calm him.Iorio then fled into a backyard, entered a home through an unlocked door and came face-to-face with its occupants, one of whom, a 72-year-old resident, he repeatedly punched in the face and head, Correia said in the release.
That's a lot of wrong right there. Iorio was subdued by the 72-year-old man's family and beach patrol employees. OK, did you keep track of the crimes? Let's see how you did compared to the charges laid out:

Carjacking, burglary, resisting arrest, four counts of simple assault, one count of assault by auto and two counts of criminal mischief. He also was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and leaving the scene the scene of an accident with personal injury.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Renters. As of Jersey City Desk press time the new WTC is only just over 50% rented and set to open this fall to new tenants. Conde Nast is in for a million square feet and a government department will take up more floors yet. That being said ONE private company has signed on the dotted line in the last three years. How bad is it? The WSJ says the WTC is cutting rent in order to attract more tenants:

The owner—a venture of developer Douglas Durst and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey—is cutting asking rents nearly 10% to $69 a square foot for larger tenants on the building's middle floors, down from $75 a square foot, Mr. Durst said in an interview Friday.

Slow leasing has led to rent cuts at One World Trade Center, pictured in September 2013. Associated Press "The market's not there," said Mr. Durst, whose Durst Organization bought a stake in the tower from the Port Authority in mid-2011. "When we started in 2011, everybody expected the economy to take off, and obviously that hasn't happened."

So, New Jersey residents, if you know someone who'd like a tony new business address it can only help us to get them hooked up, we're forever paying for the WTC via the Port Authority so at least we'd get to see the lights on and know people are working.

Say Johnny, do sunspots lead to better violins on earth? Wow, great question Johnny but you're right, sunspots have everything to do with great violins. Read on:

Antonio Stradivari is considered to be the greatest violin maker ever. He lived in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Scientists have been unable to work out what it is about his violins that makes them so incredible, but they do know that the timber used to make them is a very important contributing factor. From the 1500s to 1800s, the earth underwent a little ice age mostly due to increased volcanic activity and decreased solar activity (this is called the Maunder Minimum). As a result of this cooling, the types of trees that Stradivari used for his violins were particularly hard (due to slow growth). Hard timber is especially good when making violins. It is very probable that had Stradivari lived in a different age, his violins would not be prized as they are today.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Jersey City WILL be having a grand fireworks display, a concert at Liberty State Park and a Taste of Jersey City downtown. Johnny just got an email from Steve Fulop who was announcing the grand day in an email blast:

Now that summer season is here it's time to look forward to the 4th of July and I'd like to share some exciting news about a great celebration getting set for Jersey City in Liberty State Park. Through the generous support from our partners Suntex Marinas, Budweiser, and Fox & Friends, along with a strong assist from the State of New Jersey and the superintendent of Liberty State Park, this year Jersey City will host the Freedom and Fireworks Festival, a free concert followed by a large fireworks display in honor of the 4th of July. The Festival will also feature a Taste of Jersey City with great food offered by local establishments, children rides and local musicians. We anticipate over 100,000 people joining us for this celebration.

So there you have it. Later in the email Fulop says more information on the exact timing of events will follow but if you want great fireworks overlooking Jersey City's Statue of Liberty, Jersey City is the place to be on the 4th of July!

Johnny chanced across a group of about twenty fellow Jersey City residents enjoying a warm Memorial Day off Hamilton Park with what looks to be an impromptu block party with all the fixins. Carry on citizens, your party location is safe with Johnny.

According to "The Auditor" section in the Star-Ledger here's what happened:

"Mayor Fulop’s political team recommended that we sit down with Councilwoman Osborne because they had mentioned that a number of members of council may be interested in endorsing the Governor’s reelection campaign, and mentioned her specifically," Mowers said. "So after Mayor Fulop’s political team had mentioned that we scheduled a meeting and sat down with the councilwoman."

Ultimately Osborne gave no endorsement to Christie. It is odd that Mayor Fulop would think she'd be interested in endorsing him to begin with unless there is a Candice Osborne doppleganger running around Ward E. In Johnny's dealings with the Councilwoman she doesn't come across as any kind of Christie supporter. Maybe Fulop knows something we don't. Time will certainly tell.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

In their last home match until June 27th the Red Bulls are home to the Portland Timbers tonight with the match getting underway at 7pm. If you want to take in some live soccer before the World Cup kicks off in three weeks, tonight is the night to do it. Portland is bringing up the rear in the Western Conference while the Red Bulls are in the middle of the pack in the east. A win tonight could move #RBNY into fourth place.

Take the PATH to Harrison. Get off. Head to the large stadium on your left. Good times!

You will instantly recognize the song, you've heard it many times before but only via Bananarama. Here's the best version of 'He was Really Saying Something' for Johnny's money, compliments of The Velvelettes, straight outta Detroit.

For Johnny, the best band ever in the history of rock and roll with a guy named Fee Waybill in the band. Johnny saw The Tubes back in 1981 at C.B. Hedgecock Fieldhouse in Marquette Michigan. Step one, drink in dorm until drunken. Step two, go see concert. Step three, profit! The Tubes with 'She's a Beauty' finishing off another Music Series.

The owner of Phebe Nightclub and Restaurant, Kenny Frias, has some interesting ideas about how one fits into a community owning a business and all. Frias was arrested for paying off local gas station attendants (Another reason to let Garden Staters pump their own gas right there) to use credit card skimmers wherein Frias would allegedly take a cut of your hard earned do-re-mi when you filled up. What did he do with this money he allegedly stole? Paid some lackeys to go buy booze around the state so he could sell it at, say it together, Phebe Nightclub and Restaurant.

Frias and his accomplices bought goods, including alcohol, at stores around the state, the prosecutor said in statement. He sold the booze at his business, Phebe Nightclub and Restaurant.

Investigators found a credit card reader and writer device, fraudulent credit cards, bogus identification and more than $75,000 after executing search warrants at Frias’ home and club, according to Molinelli.

Super duper! And because we want to give credit where credit is due:

Frias’ girlfriend, Jeanessa Torres, 25, of Clifton, was also arrested and charged with possession of an unlawful weapon for having a knife, authorities said. She was being held at the Bergen County Jail on $2,500 bail.

If you think anything looked hinkey on one of your credit statements or gas suddenly seemed to cost an awful lot one day maybe you should call the Bergen County prosecutor’s office at 201-226-5532 or Glen Rock police at 201-652-3800.

Rangers fans headed home disappointed tonight as the Canadiens won early in overtime to claw back to within 2-1 in the series. The Rangers scored with 28 seconds to play to send the game into overtime and it looked all systems go but hockey can be a funny game. Except nobody east of Newport is laughing.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

However, sometimes there are very important goings on that Johnny hears about or reads on and feels compelled to pass along. Today is a story about how badly and how corrupt the bail-bond system in New Jersey is run. That recent murder at the Short Hills Mall? The guy was out on bail and most likely he'd not have been if he'd have been in another state. It certainly is enough to make you mad and hopefully mad enough to contact your state legislator to help reign in this mess of a system.

This system needs to change or seriously, more people are going to die senselessly. Read on citizens.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

When Johnny was new around these parts he no doubt said some pretty stupid things in this here space. Didn't understand certain players around town, how things actually worked and got done (criminality was the answer) and probably made some pretty stupid comments. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton made such a comment yesterday. In a City Council hearing about the NYPD's budget Bratton said he thinks that to decriminalize small amount of marijuana would be a mistake of epic proportions. Trouble is (set the Wayback Machine) since the 1970's small amounts of marijuana out of sight in NYC have already been decriminalized.

Don't worry people, we're sure it was a noob mistake and besides, he's only the police commissioner, how much power can he have?

The tall ships and military ships and aeroplanes and all sorts of cool stuff are going to start working their way into New York Harbor and up the Hudson River any minute now. This is your five minute warning.

When Mayor Steve Fulop took office, he said that getting civilian-trained people who weren't police officers to handle traffic around construction sites in our fair city was the plan going forward. There would be less official police presence because, well there's still a lot of crime in Jersey City and they were also going to be using dozens and dozens of extra police in the mornings and afternoons to help smooth the Pulaski Skyway shutdown.

By any measure a quick walk anywhere downtown seems either the mayor's grand plan to take police away from low impact low stress jobs at building sites and put them back into policing the community is flailing about like a fish. Did police push back quietly to the point they themselves are getting these sweet shifts? Could the city not find people interested in making money standing at closed intersections and roads? Because by any metric you'd like to use the police are back handling all the road closures and the civilian-trained guards have become like Jersey City's own Sasquatch, seen rarely, never filmed and mostly tall tales.

The Rangers fly home from Quebec with stomachs full of poutine and a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final. Let's face facts, no Carey Price no Montreal comeback. The Habs may have been able to nurse a 2-0 series lead to victory without Price but they're not going to beat a very inspired team like the Rangers 4 out of 5 games without him.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

For the second time in a week the building being rehabbed at the corners of Warren and Morgan St. is being visited by a hazmat team. Jersey City emergency services are on scene and have blocked off a nice ring around the building. A police source told Johnny they have found "at least one" barrel they think might have some toxic waste, if not they are just being sure.

We'd certainly hope the owner of said building is amenable to repaying Jersey City for these all-too frequent trips to his building with hazmat teams and police.

A real nice show opening last night for both Maurizio Zuluaga and Martin Abrahams at Studio 58, at 58 Coles. The Deflection show will continue for another couple weeks so if you're out and about drop by.

You only get like four of these pitch perfect days a year. Not too hot, not too cool, a nice warmth with a soft breeze. It's gonna be a very sunny 70º in Cool City today. Johnny's already been out and about scouting this beautiful morning and he can tell you you'll be wishing for this day in July.

Artists Maurizio Zuluaga and Martin Abrahams open their dual show "Deflection" at Gallery 58, 58 Coles St., in Jersey City on Saturday, May 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mea Culpa, Maurizio Zuluaga is a friend of Johnny's, but his artwork is spectacular. It may well not be on display for this show tonight but he has done some work with 3-D art in the past that just blows one away. This is gonna be an excellent show for both artists. As it says on the website:

"DEFLECTION" /diˈflekSHən/ is an art exhibit conveying the unique visual and intellectual angles of these two contemporary neo-pop artists in a body of work that is beautiful and color strong, exciting and thought provocateur, sensory innovative and most of all, it's a profound insight into the human's exquisite ability to deflect and bend the waves to adapt and evolve in our times".

OK, a couple things. First off, Shadowy Men huh? How frackin cool is that? Secondly Johnny wanted a particular song 'What I Like About Grease' to kick things off tonight but it weren't on the interwebs. So, Johnny being pig-headed said he'd just go ahead and break out the iMovie and try his hand at putting a song on the internet. We sure hope you like it because this is probably the part where Johnny goes to jail for piracy or something stupid. See the lengths he'll go to to bring you only the freshest most nutritious music?

Johnny also hopes his friend Newman drops by tonight to see this. She was at the Shadowy Men show at the old Detroit Masonic theater with Johnny, the place Houdini had his unfortunate life event. Shadowy Men, the Golden Tones and that horrible awful Aqua Velva who was spitting and trying to make himself yack. The Shadowy Men even asked Johnny to request a song. Tonight he returns the favor kinda sorta.

Friday, May 16, 2014

On a side note your old pal Johnny is just tickled they found out and scolded your serial pooper. Well done Ypsilanti PD. Probably they don't teach you how to catch this type of perp in policeman school.

In his zeal to run away from the asbestos issue in the PAD last evening Johnny was walking the dire wolf at speed away from the area when he came across this, a most charming pick-up game of cricket, that's not something you see everyday:

NerdWallet noted that Jersey City also has pet boutiques like Jersey City Unleashed, which they describe as a "pet resort and spa where dogs can attend day camp, receive special spa and grooming services and more." Other fun places to take your pet include Club Barks and k9dergarten, both located Downtown. Jersey City is also home to pet adoption centers like the Liberty Humane Society in Liberty State Park.

While Cool City got nicked for not having more dedicated dog parks (though Johnny knows of two that are unusable due to construction right now) it's nice to get even more recognition for being a great dog city. Add to that the website that said Jersey City was one of the top walking cities and it's a natural mix.

Johnny has learned that a developer who owns the property at First St. and Marin Blvd. will be going before our city council tonight to ask to destroy things on that property (some residences too you know) so they can get tax abatements to start yet ANOTHER building project downtown. What was that candidate Fulop told us about tax abatements downtown once he became mayor? Why destroy a successful neighborhood watering hole and restaurant so some builder can build more UNNEEDED condos?

Get to City Hall tonight and raise holy hell people, next week it could be your neighborhood they want to tear up.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The City of Jersey City just Tweeted out the following information which is sure to screw up YOUR plans today (because that's how it always seems to work) The westbound entrance to the NJ Turnpike extension from the Holland Tunnel is closed for emergency road repairs. JCPD should be on the scene directing traffic.

Calling all baseball fans, it's that time again. Interleague play gives us FOUR straight between the Bronx Bombers and the Amazings. Starting tonight it's two in a row at Yankee Stadium and the next two at Debits Field. Both teams need a sparks to get out of the middle of the pack in their respective divisions. Somebody taking three of four could provide said spark heading into the warmer weather. Last go-round in the inter-city series for Derek Jeter as well, which brings added intrigue.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

K9dergarten at 173 Newark Ave. is hosting another See Spot Rescued event today from 1-4. Wonderful loving pups are looking for their forever homes. Drop on by and fall in love. Maybe mom would love a cute happy puppy to keep her company around the house. A perfect Mother's Day present, a loving dog!

Pat Benatar like you've never heard her before. A while back Pat and hubby Neil Geraldo put out an album of old time jazzy/swing/blues songs that was extremely well-received by critics but nobody ever heard, because commercial radio. From the album True Love (Go buy that on the iTunes) here is Pat Benatar with 'So Long' starting the Music Series on a classy note tonight.

Johnny wanted something by Led Zeppelin to play off the Music Series for another week but wanted to pick a song that hadn't been poisoned utterly by FM radio overkill. We hope this succeeds in that endeavor. 'Boogie with Stu' to send you off into this good foggy night.

Jersey City had the third-highest commute time on the list (37 minutes on average) and was also third in population density, with 16,793 people per square mile, the report said. The city's total population was 247,597 according to the 2010 Census.

Jersey City tied was with New York for average hours worked per week at 39.4, but ranked higher for crime with 3,062 total incidents reported per 100,000 residents, the report said.

So everyone taking up all the roadways all the time and you fools who commit crimes are making the rest of us CRAZY! If you get robbed while commuting what, just shit yourself? Well?

That census number isn't even freaking right, Jersey City's population is exploding, like our RAGE!

Here, this should help, here's Enya with 'Sail Away' and remember, Enya likes it when you turn up her songs.

Everyone loves a good debate. America has a fine history of great debates. It's part of the American fabric that if you run for an office at some point you'll have a debate with your opponent. It's the American way. Lincoln v Douglas, Kennedy v Nixon, Lloyd Bentsen v a well-dressed piece of soap; voters expect debates.

Sadly, Caridad Rodriguez a candidate (and not even the incumbent so that's a twist), for Freeholder of Hudson County in the 7th District election said she'd just rather not debate Freeholder Chairman Jose Munoz. Too much else going on. We're not going to run her made for the media release about how she prefers to get her message out. We're going to tell Ms. Rodriguez that the last person who hid from a debate in these parts was former mayor Healy in 2009. Are YOU a Healy kind of candidate Ms. Rodriguez? We certainly hope not. If you'd like to know what makes voters happy it's a debate. Yes they have turned into "This other person sucks" too often however that doesn't excuse you from doing it. Nobody in America is above debating their opponents in a public forum and we think if Ms. Rodriguez continues to stonewall that yes, it should count against her with voters. Debates are one of the last places candidates or officeholders aren't completely insulated from the public. We need more of them, not less.

If you're a fan of one of the many tip top food trucks that grace Jersey City you'll want to know they have, on most weekdays, set up shop at Bay St. and Greene near the Trump Tower. On any weekday from late morning through the afternoon lunch rush trucks like Mordis Food Truck (@MordisFoodTruck) Carmella NYC (@CarmellaNYC) Jiannetto's Pizza (@JiannettosPizza) and Sahara are all on hand to make your Wednesday lunch experience that much better.

Johnny gets his lunches from these guys and dolls every so often because it's good and he can walk right up and get food while walking the dire wolf, unlike say trying to head into The Little Sandwich Shop or Two Boots to grab food because the law frowns on that.

Sometimes movies, when released into countries that do not speak English, just don't have titles that translate well. In China for instance the movie Risky Business translates to, "Just Send Him To University Unqualified." Not bad not bad. Joel did choose Illinois so the unqualified part is apropos. Johnny's favorite on the China list? The translation for the movie The Full Monty, "Six Naked Pigs."

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Johnny just saw the most disgusting thing. Walking on 2nd St. near Washington he watched with his very own eyes as a construction worker just threw trash on the ground and acted like nothing happened.

Only it had and Johnny saw it. He confronted the worker and his friend who dropped the trash. They acted like "Why are you busting our balls, it's only trash on the ground." Johnny kept after the two waiting for food truck fare. He kept after them asking why, since they don't live in the neighborhood they think it's OK to simply toss your trash on the ground when you're done with it. Pick it up Johnny told them. They balked at first until Johnny told them it would be a very bad idea job-wise as their supervisor would hear about it AND it would be very bad for the guy physically if he didn't pick it up and kept running his mouth (of course under his breath).

So, if you don't live here and you want to throw your trash out, do what local residents do and try finding a trash bin, asshats. Don't ever think for a second it's OK to simply toss your mess anywhere in Jersey City if Johnny's watching. You will be confronted and if you wanna keep running your construction worker mouth you can of course find one of the many excellent dentists in Jersey City to help you regain that winning smile even with your lost teeth.

Great news Jersey City residents, due to the diligent hard work of people like downtown councilwoman Candice Osborne, the Jersey City to NYC ferry service operating at the $2.50 discounted price WILL continue through the end of the year because of the great response by we the people:

"I had no doubts this pilot would be successful and I am thrilled it will continue during the shutdown," Osborne told The Jersey Journal. "It is good for our residents, our small businesses and our city overall."

The service had been operating on a six week pilot program that ends this weekend, but it provided enormously popular, with thousands of passengers taking advantage of it for the past five weekends. Over 4,000 riders used it during the cold, rainy weekend that it debuted, and ridership has only increased as temperatures have risen.Candice Osborne has turned out to be a real force for good in our fair city. We're also glad to see the citizens take advantage of a great program. It's a win-win situation!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Hyder, Alaska
As if Alaska wasn't already a geographic oddball, enter the tiny town of Hyder, Alaska (population: 87). It is about 3.2 kilometres from Stewart, B.C., by road and 121 kilometres from Ketchikan, Alaska, by air. Although the city officially belongs to Alaska, Hyder is more Canadian than American. It uses British Columbia's 205 area code, pays with Canadian currency (except at the U.S. Post Office, which only takes American currency), and observes Canadian holidays. The kids attend Canadian schools. If you are ever in Hyder (probably only for the sole purpose of crossing Alaska off the bucket list), ask for a shot of 190 proof Everclear at the local bar - you'll get a certificate for getting "Hyderized."

The population of the United States is 314 million. So for Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins campaign manager Lionel Leach to say "hundreds of millions have liens" is simply outrageous.

First some backstory. The Star-Ledger reports that former Newark City Councilwoman Chaneyfield-Jenkins owes more than $100,000 in federal and state tax liens. She is again running for Newark city council. When asked about these liens being paid back to the taxpyers Lionel Leach had an answer for that too:

"I’m sure these back taxes are being paid."

Leach, however, was unable to produce documents to show Chaneyfield-Jenkins is participating in any kind of re-payment plan.

But wait, there's more:

Chaneyfield-Jenkins served on the council from 1998 to 2006, gaining some notoriety when she and two other council members took a trip to Ghana in a much-criticized tour to the West African nation at the city’s expense. She also successfully lobbied for a $10,000 donation from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for a group she headed, Women with Hats On for the Cure, that turned out to be unregistered as a charity.

There is so much more to be found while reading this story. If you pay taxes it's a must read. We hope the Newark voters see through this candidate for we fear a win by her and a possible return to the excesses and feelings of entitlement described in the story could be a distraction from the real issues facing the council winners there.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Why is it road races and marathons always let the best runners up front giving them an unfair advantage? Next year the Newport 10K should let the slower runners up front to give them a better chance of winning. First race of it's kind.

What a grand day for a road race and Jersey City certainly showed it's good side in today's Riker Danzig Newport 10K road race through our fair city. Thousands of runners took on a very fast course and these are their stories. Yes, Johnny dragged his lazy ass out of bed to get out there and bring you dear reader the race coverage you expect from a local no-count blog.

If any of you runners see yourselves in any of these pictures and would like a bigger version you can A) click on the image and see if that's big enough to hang on your wall OR B) you can email Johnny at johnnyactionspacepunk@gmail and tell him which picture you'd like and he'll be happy to send you the original image right to your inbox. Now, on with the show!